GTA VI Needs 212 GB: Storage Tricks to Save Your Game Library

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents GTA VI Needs 212 GB: Storage Tricks to Save Your Game Library.

212 GB of free storage – according to Xataka, that is how much “GTA VI” is expected to require. At first, that may sound manageable, but for many people with numerous games installed, it can use up all available storage. Space is particularly tight on the cheaper Xbox Series S* with 500 GB, as not all of its storage is available for games in the first place.

That leaves you with a classic choice: delete individual games and download them again later, or expand your console’s storage? The second option is usually the more convenient solution if your installed game library is not to disappear without a trace.

Storage expansion works differently on the two consoles. We show which hardware each one requires, the prices cited by Xataka, and what you should keep in mind when installing it.

212 GB for “GTA VI”: What the storage question means for you

The bottleneck begins before the download

“GTA VI” does not merely take up additional storage; according to Xataka, it first requires 212 GB of free space. If the available storage is insufficient, the game cannot simply be installed even after you buy it. On a well-filled PS5 or Xbox Series, this can prevent an entire series of other games from being installed at the same time.

The basic options are clear: delete games or expand the storage. Deleting games is free, but it means that if you reinstall them later, you will have to download several dozen gigabytes again. With a storage expansion, by contrast, you buy additional hardware once and keep your existing collection available.

PS5: M.2 SSD instead of deleting games

The right format

For the PlayStation 5, the solution described by Xataka requires an M.2 SSD with PCIe 4.0. Installation is comparatively uncomplicated: all you need for the entire installation is a screwdriver and a few minutes.

“Sony also recommends installing it with a heatsink to keep temperatures under control.”

This matches the two SSDs presented by Xataka: each has 1 TB of capacity and a heatsink. You should look for exactly this configuration when buying your own drive as well.

Two models and their listed prices

At the time of publication, Xataka listed the Lexar EQ790 at €249.99. The Samsung SSD 990 Pro was listed at €263.99. The two 1 TB models were therefore only €14 apart.

However, the listed prices may change. Xataka also explicitly notes in the product links that prices can fluctuate and that the commission earned through them may affect the price. A specific price is therefore not automatically guaranteed to be available permanently.

Xbox Series: Expansion card instead of a costly SSD conversion

A different route to expansion

On Xbox models, expansion does not work through an internal SSD slot. Instead, an expansion card is required. There are options from various manufacturers with different capacities.

According to Xataka, installation is even easier than on the PS5: all you have to do is insert the card into the designated slot, much like a microSD* card. This means there is no need to install a drive in an internal M.2 slot on the Xbox.

This option is particularly appealing on the Xbox Series S* with 500 GB, because its limited storage quickly leaves less room for new games. At the same time, it must be clear that not all 500 GB can be used for games.

What storage expansion costs – and where the difference lies

The two current PS5 models in Xataka’s selection provide the clearest cost comparison. Prices of €249.99 and €263.99 were listed for 1 TB of storage, respectively. The provided source excerpt does not include specific prices or comparable models for the Xbox; here, Xataka refers to the least expensive SanDisk models it found.

The main advantage of expansion is the time saved: your installed games remain in place. The disadvantage is the one-time purchase price. For a console without sufficient free storage, however, this is the cleaner option than deleting several games in the short term and later downloading large amounts of data again.

Conclusion: Permanent extra space or downloading games in circles

The 212 GB required for “GTA VI” do not necessarily force you to sacrifice your game library. On the PS5, the documented expansion is an M.2 SSD with 1 TB and a heatsink. On the Xbox Series, an expansion card does the job.

Both options cost money. In return, your existing games remain installed, and you do not have to delete them first and then download several dozen gigabytes again later. On a console that is already well filled, that is the decisive practical difference.

11 Tips for Your GTA VI Storage Plan

1. Check your free storage first

Start by checking how much space is actually still available. “GTA VI” requires 212 GB. A small amount of remaining space will not be enough.

2. Choose PCIe 4.0 for the PS5

For the PlayStation 5*, Xataka names an M.2 SSD in the PCIe 4.0 format. Other drive types are not included in the described solution.

3. Look for a heatsink

Both PS5 SSDs presented have a heatsink. Sony recommends this configuration to keep temperatures under control.

4. Allow only a few minutes for installation

Installing the PS5 SSD requires nothing more than a screwdriver and a few minutes. Replacing the storage drive is therefore comparatively uncomplicated.

5. Compare the 1 TB models

At the listed prices, the Lexar EQ790 and Samsung SSD 990 Pro are only €14 apart. The main factors in your decision will therefore be availability, the heatsink, and the current price.

6. Check the price again before purchasing

The listed €249.99 and €263.99 are not permanent fixed prices. Xataka explicitly notes that prices may change.

7. Use an expansion card on the Xbox

No internal SSD installation is described for the Xbox Series. The suitable system consists of an expansion card from one of various manufacturers.

8. Insert the Xbox card directly

The expansion card is inserted into a dedicated slot. According to Xataka, this is even easier than installing an SSD in the PS5.

9. Allow for less game storage on the Series S

Although the Xbox Series S* has 500 GB, not all of that storage can be used for games. You should therefore assess the free space realistically.

10. Do not automatically delete several games

Deleting even one game means additional download time and data usage when you reinstall it. If expanding your console is an option, this preserves the rest of your library better.

11. Base your decision on your console model

On the PS5, the documented solution is an SSD; on the Xbox Series, it is an expansion card. Do not automatically look for the same accessory for both consoles; check the respective system first.

You can find more details about the models, installation, and prices in Xataka’s selection of storage options for PS5 and Xbox Series. Good luck with the implementation – and have fun when “GTA VI” finally lands on your console without you having to delete any other games.